Essex Elementary School

Thank you to those of you who were able to attend our recent kindergarten family night information session. For those of you who couldn't, you can view the slideshow that was presented online. We have also included a list of frequently asked questions below. 

FAQ:

Bus related questions:

Are there any tips for students riding the bus for the first time?

• There is an opportunity to practice riding the bus built into the Kindergarten Smart
  Start just before school begins. More information about this is sent to families
  later on in the summer.

• Role playing can help as well as reminders to remain sitting down on the bus and
  keeping the aisles clear.

Do teachers help children find their buses at the end of the school day?

• Yes, the school follows a great dismissal process where teachers and staff
  members assist children with finding where to go to meet their bus.

• Kindergarten children all wear special tags with a big letter K on their backpacks
  to help staff guide them and students receive a bus card with their name and bus
  number on it at the end of the day.

How are behavioral concerns addressed?

• Families are welcome to communicate with the transportation department directly
  or the school. The school student management assistant sometimes rides the
  bus as well.

Classroom related questions:

Is there a nap time?

• No, but many classrooms will have quiet time scheduled during the day.

How many kindergarten classrooms do we have?

• Seven at this time.

What are some top things for kids to practice before coming to school?

• Managing their own things is important to practice.

• Practicing independence is very helpful, such as getting their own things on and
  off, independent toileting, and opening containers.

Will there be updates on the child’s progress throughout the year?

• Yes, there are Friday folders with information sent home with students weekly as
  well as family conferences twice a year.

How are behavioral issues handled in the classroom?

• A reset or calming corner is usually the first step.

• Sometimes students need a buddy classroom to go to for a five minute break.

• Zones of regulation are used such as the green space where the student
  management specialist can assist.

What happens if a student is disrupting the whole classroom?

• This is handled on a case by case basis.

• Sometimes there is planned ignoring or a specific plan is implemented for a
  student if needed.

• Students hold each other accountable.

• Our school motto is “We take care of ourselves, we take care of each other and
  we take care of our school.”

• Behavioral concerns will be communicated with families as well.

EJRP related questions:

What timing is there for signing up for the afterschool program?

• Availability is limited and sign ups start on May 1 through their website:
  https://www.ejrp.org/school-age-childcare/rec-kids-afterschool-program

• If you already have a child enrolled in the Rec Kids program, you are able to
  register the sibling earlier than new registrations.

Health-related questions:

What qualifications do the nurses have?

• All have a Bachelor of Science degree as well as at least four years of
  experience.

What age-appropriate health information is shared with children?

• Instructions on hand washing and covering their coughs and sneezes are
  provided at this level.

Is the nurse employed full-time?

• Yes.

Are teachers CPR certified?

• Yes.

What happens if a child is hurt at school or has an injury?

• If it’s minor, an email might be sent home. If it is something more, a call home will
  be made.

K Screening related questions:

• Parents will go to the library for questions.

• Children arrive in classrooms and have play time.

• Students will sing a song, draw a picture and read a story.

• The screening gives the school a sense of who the children are and this information
  along with what is provided by the preschools helps with classroom placements.

School-related questions:

What are the school hours?

• School starts at 7:30am and ends at 2:30pm except on Wednesdays when there
  is a one hour early dismissal and school ends at 1:30pm.

• Family drop offs and bus arrivals are between 7:15 and 7:30am.

• Student start the morning on the playground from 7:15-7:30am.

When are late slips handed out?

• Any time after 7:35am, but typically around 7:38-ish.

Are there any drop off suggestions for families?

• Practice with your children.

• One drop off option is if children can unbuckle themselves and get out of the car
  independently without help, families can drive through the loop and let their
  children out.

• The other drop off option is to park in the parking lot and walk your children up to
  the morning recess gate or to the front door depending on the timing.

• Traffic is not that bad for drop off and moves pretty steadily.

When is breakfast?

• Breakfast is available starting at 7:30am and typically kindergarten will go as a
  whole class to the cafeteria a little after the rest of the building.

Are lunches segregated by grade?

• Yes, each grade level eats lunch together as a grade, so there are three lunch
  times, one for kindergarten, one for 1st grade and another for 2nd grade.